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Required Tests

You must pass a basic skills assessment and one or more content area assessments to be admitted to the Master in Teaching program.

Washington state requires that you complete the WEST-B and WEST-E tests. See the Washington Educator Skills Tests site for registration, preparation materials, and more details. There are restrictions on how often you can take the tests and how often scores are reported, so plan ahead.

Washington Educator Skills Test-Basic (WEST-B)

The WEST-B has three sections: reading, writing, and math. You can take the sections separately or all together. You must pass each section with a score of at least 240 out of 300.

You may be able to use your SAT or ACT scores instead of taking the WEST-B. See the chart below for minimum scores.

Subject

SAT score/dates

ACT score/dates

Math

27.5 (beginning 3/5/16)

515 (through 3/4/16)

22 (1995-present)

Reading

27 (beginning 3/5/16)

500 (through 3/4/16)

22 (1995-present)

Writing

28 (beginning 3/5/16)

490 (2005-3/4/16)

8 (9/2016-present)

23 (9/2015-8/2016)

8 (2/2005-8/2015)

Washington Educator Skills Tests-Endorsements (WEST-E)

You must pass a multiple-choice test for each endorsement you choose. You must pass each test with a score of at least 240 out of 300, using the appropriate WEST-E or National Educator Series (NES) test listed.

A passing score for a WEST-E test is 240, a passing score for a NES test is 220. If a WEST-E was taken prior to 8/30/16 for an endorsement now using a NES test, it will be honored. Foreign language endorsements have additional testing requirements. (Learn more about endorsements.)

Endorsement

Level

WEST-E Code

Biology

5–12

NES 305

Chemistry

5–12

NES 306

Earth and Space Science

5–12

NES 307

Elementary Education

K–8

NES 102 & NES 103

English Language Arts

5–12

NES 301

English Language Learners

P–12

051

History

5–12

027

Mathematics

5–12

NES 304

Middle Level Humanities

4–9

052 & 053

Middle Level Math

4–9

NES 203

Middle Level Science

4–9

NES 204

Physics

5–12

NES 308

Social Studies

5–12

028

Theatre Arts

P–12

055

Visual Arts

P–12

NES 503

World Languages: French, Japanese, or Spanish

P–12

100*

* Foreign language endorsements also require the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) or computerized interview (OPIC) and the Written Proficiency Test (WPT) from Language Testing International. These proficiencies must be passed at the advanced low level.

Out of State Applicants

Washington State also allows certain substitutes such as Praxis CORE and CSET for the WEST-B if you live out of state at the time you apply for a MiT program, see the Professional Educator Standards Board website for a complete list and acceptable scores.

You will need to take the WEST-E tests for your endorsement areas when you arrive in Washington, if not available in your area.